PC World thinks that the handheld devices of 2000 will be less expensive and easier to use. The article takes a look at IBM’s WorkPad Z50 and Qualcomm’s pdQ smartphone.

Socket Communications announced the first shipments of the Ethernet/Bar Code Wand Card, a PC Card that combines Welch Allyn’s SCANTEAM 6180 bar code scanner/decoder wand with a 10BaseT Ethernet port. Users can use it with a Windows CE-based Handheld PCs.

Insignia Solutions announced that it has joined MIPS Technologies’ Windows CE Development Alliance to promote its implementation of the Jeode platform for MIPS-based processors. The Jeode platform is available initially for Java developers using Windows CE on the MIPS architecture.

a la mode, inc. announced the release of Pocket TOTAL 2000, a Windows CE application designed for real estate appraisers. Combining formfilling, sketching, digital photos, and wireless electronic data interchange features, appraisers can use Pocket TOTAL 2000 on Handheld PCs to electronically gathering data at a property.

Hitachi America announced plans to begin shipping its next generation tablet-style handheld PC, the ePlate, in late July. Combining Hitachi’s handheld PC technology with Windows CE, the ePlate delivers on-demand access to information, desktop power and portable convenience. Additionally, the ePlate employs new features, such as a flat-screen panel with handwriting recognition and an “Instant On/Instant Off” capability.

DDH Software announced an update to its HanDBase application for the Palm OS platform. HanDBase is a relational database program that lets users create, view, and modify custom databases on their Palm OS handhelds. Many field types are supported including: Text Fields, Integer Numbers, Floating Point Numbers, Dates, Times, Popup Lists, CheckBox fields, Note fields, Image Fields, and DB Popup fields.

Handwave Inc. announces Smoothy, a doc reader for Palm connected organizers. Smoothy is an application for reading “doc format” electronic books or E-texts on the Palm Computing platform. Smoothy does text scrolling so you can read hands free. http://www.handwave.com

Network Computing takes a look at the Palm VII and asks if all of the special effects are worth the price of the device.

PC World thinks that the handheld devices of 2000 will be less expensive and easier to use. The article takes a look at IBM’s WorkPad Z50 and Qualcomm’s pdQ smartphone.

I know this has nothing to do with news, but I just have to send a special thank you to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team for taking the world on a great ride the past three weeks. It was a great thing to see. – The girl in Section 26, Row 16, Seat 116